PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwire - August 18, 2010) - They're the best in the nation and now they rank among the best in the world. JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort's Pastry Team USA earned a bronze medal at the Amoretti World Pastry Team Championship recently held at the resort.

The Phoenix, AZ, resort's team competed against top international pastry teams including Demark, Great Britain/UK, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and South Korea. The contest theme was "childhood" and criteria were based on creativity, taste, artistic beauty and teamwork.

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Pastry Team Captain Kaushik Chowdhury says the world pastry championship is more than about the mastery of sugar and chocolate.

"We truly love what we do, have a passion for our industry and enjoyed working endless hours as the national pastry team champions entering the world competition," said Chowdhury. "In this country, it's the highest level of pastry competition in the world."

Chowdhury, along with resort team members Melynda Hale, pastry supervisor, and Keith Taylor, assistant pastry chef, competed for 13 hours during the two-day event.

To compete in the World Pastry Team Championship, each team was required to create a sugar showpiece, a chocolate showpiece, a chocolate and sugar tray, three different types of chocolate bonbons, an entremet, three different types of petits gateaux, an entremet glacè and a plated dessert.

The winning USA showpieces from the North Phoenix restaurant's team featured a 50-pound sugar showpiece showcasing the aspirations and dreams of a child revolving around sports with a soccer ball and skateboard; fantasy-animated movies involving prehistoric and mythical beasts like a fire-breathing dragon; and adventure with a soaring airplane and two child-like faces depicting good and bad.

The Phoenix resort's chocolate showpiece, made of white and dark chocolate, illustrated a child's fondness for music featuring a guitar, saxophone and conga drum in addition to playtime with toys such as a racecar and dominoes. Whimsical elements in the chocolate masterpiece included a horse, swan and butterfly.

The amenity piece showcased one of the most important elements of a child' life -- education. A combination of sugar artistry and chocolate, the creation was highlighted by a large "C" for child, a chalkboard, colorful alphabet letters, a book and pen, and a ribbon flower depicting a bright future.

"I am extremely proud of our team and achieving this prestigious world ranking for the pastry industry," Chowdhury said.

When next visiting JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, remember to order an award-winning dessert from the USA and world-ranked pastry champions at the hotel's North Phoenix restaurants.

Arizona's largest luxury resort features 950 guestrooms, 10 dining experiences, Phoenix's renowned Revive Spa, eight tennis courts and four acres of shimmering pools and waterways including the celebrated Lazy River with a serpentine slide, and two championship golf courses. The golf resort in Phoenix also features 40 meeting rooms, 240,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the art meeting space and on-site event planning. Certified event planners manage every detail from business meetings and conferences to wedding planning. JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is located where Phoenix meets Scottsdale, just 20 minutes north of Sky Harbor International Airport, with easy access to the Loop 101 freeway.